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Vi glowered. “I wasn’t talking aboutyou.”

Chapter 24 – Anya

Violet and Drew’s gentle bickering was the shot of normalcy I needed. Between my anxiety over talking about Owen, and Drew sending me over the edge earlier, my nervous system was fried. The lights were too bright. Music too loud. Every move felt jerky. Unnatural. I tried to cover the pressure buildup by finishing dinner, going through the motions and letting my activity relieve some of the kinetic energy that wanted to lock me in place.

Drew had accepted my past with grace. But my friends had wildly different personalities. It was difficult to predict how they’d react.

Lucy and Rae arrived first, Clay and Zach stomping in a few minutes behind them. Violet poured everyone drinks, all of them chatting like it was a regular Saturday night. Vi returned with Lee in tow. Our tiny living room was full to bursting, and I felt ready to pop.

Hovering at the threshold between the kitchen and living room, I felt like a runner at the starting line, one foot poised forescape. Except I wasn’t sure if I should bolt for the finish or back out entirely. Drew settled his hands on my shoulders, kneading the tense muscles there. His touch helped ground me. Telling my friends the truth was the price of belonging, the only way to turn the life I’d fabricated for myself into something lasting. I had to prove I deserved it.

“It’s okay, honey. Everything will be fine.”

I soaked up his confidence, absorbing it into every pore as if it could paper over the anxious poison that wanted to seep from beneath my skin. The sinister voices whispering they’d turn away. The whispers that I was disposable, the throwaway child my parents had been willing to sacrifice for their ambition.

“I don’t think I can wait,” I admitted softly, watching our friends talk and laugh. “I hate to ruin this, but I’m going to explode.”

Drew wrapped around me, settling his hands on my hips. “Hey, everyone. Before dinner, we want to talk.”

“Is it about Jordan?” Lucy asked, her expression suspicious.

“No, it’s about me,” I admitted, pausing to work past the lump obstructing my throat. “I’m not who you think I am.”

Drew squeezed me in a silent show of support, his hands on my hips all that kept me tethered.

“I came to the island looking for a new life because I was escaping a bad situation at home.”

Lucy and Rae exchanged knowing glances. Zach, Clay, and Lee sobered, as if bracing for whatever came next.

“My family can be dangerous, and my ex has come to Friday Harbor to see me.”

“How dangerous are we talking about?” Clay asked.

“What does your ex want?” Vi asked.

There was nothing to do but say it as plainly as possible. I took a deep breath.

“My family was involved in organized crime. Smuggling, mostly. My ex works for them.” My lip trembled. “He wants me to help him set up shop in Friday Harbor.”

“Why would he think you’d ever agree to that?” Rae asked, brow wrinkled.

“Because I know what he’s capable of if I cross him.”

“Do you think he could be involved in Jordan’s death?” Clay asked.

“What makes you ask that?” Drew asked.

Clay’s brow furrowed. “The DEA has been nosing around. There are rumors of a new group smuggling out of Canada. The DEA have hit up the park rangers and local law enforcement. We’re supposed to report any unusual boat traffic or goings-on. Jordan’s death was unexpected, and as far as I know, the sheriff still hasn’t established how he got out to the cliffs.”

“Car is the easiest answer,” Drew said.

Clay’s gaze met his. “But a boat isn’t off the table.”

“I don’t think Owen has any local connections yet,” I said. “That’s why he says he needs me.”

“Or he murdered his minion and needs to replace him,” Lee pointed out.

“That’s my cousin you’re talking about,” Rae chided. “I find it hard to believe Jordan would be involved in smuggling.”